Changes in Clinical Signs After Treatment in Calves With Experimental Colisepticemia With Escherichia Coli



Mokhber Dezfouli MR¹ ; Lotfollahzadeh S¹ ; Heidari Sureshjani M² ; Dehghan MM³ ; Nikbakht GHR⁴ ; Eftekhari Z⁵ ; Tavanaeimanesh H¹ ; Sadeghian Chaleshtori S¹ ; Jani M⁶ ; Arab Yarmohammadi M⁶
Source: Journal of Veterinary Research Published:2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Colisepticemia is an acute fatal disease in farm animal neonates. Clinical finding of septicemia is non-specific and cannot be differentiated from signs of noninfectious disease or disease with local infection such as diarrhea. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of clinical signs variations in calves with experimental septicemia with Escherichia coli O111:H8. METHODS: Colisepticemia was experimentally induced in ten Holstein bull calves after an adaptation period. Vital signs and 7 clinical criteria were recorded from 24 h before septicemia until 48 h after that. Blood culture was performed and treatment was done based on antibiogram from 24 h after challenge. RESULTS: Changes of suckling reflex and shock were not significant. Changes of appetite, dehydration, behavior, standing ability, total score from 24 h before the challenge to 24 h after treatment were significant (p<0.001). Fecal consistency altered with treatment (p<0.04). Heart rate (p=0.04 and p=0.033, respectively), respiratory rate (p=0.009 and p=0.001, respectively) and body temperature (p<0.001 and p=0.004, respectively) have significant changes till 24 h after challenge and till 24 h after starting treatment. Blood cultures were positive except for 0 h and 48 h after challenge. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicated clinical signs changed unfavorably following septicemia that were dissolved approximately during 24 h, depending on treatment in appropriate time and drug choice. Thus, a targeted scoring system will be useful in clinical evaluation of septicemia, quantifying the changes procedure and treatment efficacy.